Showing posts with label 30 x 5. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 30 x 5. Show all posts

Monday, June 08, 2009

The Gastro-Inflated Pooch, It is Ginormous



We are in ACT III of Phase 4, if you didn't know. No, I didn't actually break this phase down into dramatic acts, but believe me, I have had some drama since Phase 4 began on May 26.

Gee, May 26 sounds like such a long time ago, like maybe May 26 was when the first monkey (Monknik?) was launched into space or something. I think it sounds so long ago because I've been so busy with life and with exercise and diet plans and Zoe peeing in brand new spots and my daughter moving back in and work gearing up for our biggest week of the year. So please excuse me while I take a breath to catch up.

I have indeed been faithful to the ol' 30 x 5 scheme since last I posted about it. According to Phase 4, I have been switching up my exercise routine and eating regimen almost continually. Right now, I'm back to slogging outside again and working with weights on the off days, and I'm getting a really good mix of fiber, fruits, veggies, water and protein. It sounds so perfect, and yet it has been oh so wrong.

My incredible struggle lately has been of the gastro-intestinal variety, which consists of my system taking on a life of its own and not cooperating with me at all.

It's like my bowels have said, "So. You're doing all of this new stuff. That's funny because I wasn't really planning on doing that at all. I planned on packing my suitcase and heading to Italy for a few weeks, you know, like a bowel sabbatical, if you will. Ciao, Baby."

And so, I feel like I've been carrying about eight baby kangaroos in my mid-section for about three weeks. I'm the Octo-roo Mom.

The gastro-inflated pooch, it is giNORmous, people. I literally feel like I'm housing a weather balloon. Perhaps I'll star in the sequel to Pixar's "UP" or as the middle aged Violet Beauregarde in the next Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

So last night, after three weeks, I gave in and took a laxative. And that was when the real drama which I mentioned in paragraph one began.

And ... "That was all," she wrote. Or gurgled.

So how are you faring on Phase 4?

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

If You're Not Happy About This, You Can Always Kvetch to Greg: Phase 4 of the 30 x 5


Option A: You won't like this phase of the 30 x 5.

Response: Please direct all negative comments to my buddy Greg at Greg's General Store because this was all his idea.

Option B: You'll be up for the challenge and think you might actually like it.

Response: Please direct all flattering comments to Lidna Crow, the genius behind this idea.


The Concept (w/apologies to Robert Frost):

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
A stroke of 30 x 5 brilliance.

Or:

I took the one less traveled by,
And to my muffin top said, "good riddance."

OK, so here are the clues: "The Old Switcheroo" and taking the road less traveled.

It's time to change it up, people.

For the next two weeks, you're going to change a little sumthin sumthin in your routine.

For instance, since I do quite a bit of my aerobic exercise on my elliptical, I am now going to do 5 minutes forward followed by 5 minutes backward, SWITCHING the routine from my normal forward-only motion.

2nd for instance: I've been eating Cheerios for breakfast for a week. I'm going to therefore incorporate different foods at breakfast: yogurt, fruit, eggs, veggie omelet, etc.

Do you get the picture?

Thus the clever inverted image you see in the button for Phase 4. I know. I kill myself, too.

I know what you're thinking: "Why, Lid, why."

Well, why are you so philosophical, asking "why" all the time? Haven't you ever heard the saying, "Ours is not to question why; ours is but to do or die?" Because I think that fits this situation perfectly. You don't want to die, do you?

I didn't think so.

There is a good reason for switching things up, so I will send you to an article called Change Your Workout Routine: Avoiding the Plateau by Jason Johnson, which spells it out clearly.

But in my lingo: Your muscles have gotten smart, and they're working the system. Now you have to counter their smugness with a sucker punch.

So let's review. Because if you've been keeping up with all of the 30 x 5 phases, here's what your life would look like now:




Phase 1: You pledged to move around, any way you pleased, for 30 minutes per day, for 5 days per week. Thirty all at once or in intervals. Any kind of movement counted. The point was to get started moving.




Phase 2: You subtracted, by approximation, 100 calories per day for two weeks, understanding that if you did so, you could lose one pound of fat per month just by doing this alone. So coupling Phase and 1 and 2, you began to get some discipline back into your physical life and make positive changes.



Phase 3: You pledged to drink more water. The goal for most is 8 6-8 oz glasses per day, with the understanding that a more accurate guideline is to halve your weight and drink that number in ounces.





So how has it been going for you? I'm happy to report that the water in this picture is indeed in my refrigerator, and I am slugging it down all day long, which is even more of a lifestyle change than moving around is for me.

And I have done an overhaul on my food consumption AND joined a gym.


I'm serious about this, people. Because June is knocking on our doors. No, not that June. You know what I mean: June. Pools. Swimsuits. Sleeveless tops. shudder

You can grab the code for the button in the right sidebar, if you please. Please leave a comment so that we can come visit you and see how you're doing and what you're thinking about all of this. I'm thinking of going through Phase 6 and then ending this endeavor on the blog (not in my life). What do you think? And do you have any suggestions for Phase 5?

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

H to the 0 (H20) 30 x 5


Excuse me while I crack open a tall, cold bottle of Sam's Purified drinking water. (Ahhh. Nothing but the good stuff for me.)

A quick twist, and pop goes the plastic ring which annoys me by staying on the bottle like a bracelet. Then I take that cap for a counter-clockwise do-si-do, lift it off and chug the H20, Baby. That's what I've been doing this last week, and I hope you've embraced this facet of the 30 x 5, as well.

Hey. Where did you go? Oh, to the bathroom.

Good. Maybe we can continue this conversation from inside the stalls because I'm right behind you. Apparently, according to the pic, we're going to the restroom for women with one arm.

Some enlightenments and developments have occurred as I began this water guzzling journey:

  • I am the fastest go-er to the bathroom in town. I've been so often in the last week that I've streamlined the process to near art-form. I shall spare you the details. You're welcome.
  • I know where many, many public restrooms are, including places you might not think of right away. Starbucks? That's for spoiled sissies. Try this on for size: Hotel lobbies. Bowling alleys. The cheap haircut place. (I know; I'm sharing way too much information.)
  • I am more thirsty. Yes, you read that right. I was aiming for 8 x 8 (64 ozs), but because my water bottles hold 20 ozs each, I've been drinking 80 oz. And guess what. It's making me cotton-mouthed and thirsty.
Apparently, this is a pretty common phenomenon, according the Internet. There are several theories about this, but one theory is that I have awakened my thirst sensors which were dormant before.

Well. You don't say.

I've learned that when we eat a lot and don't drink water, we get used to getting hydration through food instead of liquid. So we actually feel hunger (real pangs!) when what we really need is water.

All of my life, I have never really enjoyed drinking, except for a great cup of coffee in the morning. Now that I truly enjoy. But I never enjoyed beverages with my meals or got all excited about new flavors of sodas, etc. And when I went out to eat with others, they would have their glasses refilled many times while I sat there with the initial glass of water barely touched.

And I rarely felt thirsty. You see where this is going.

I ate my water. With some extra calories thrown in just for kicks, and menopause loves extra calories like Paula Abdul loves Adam Lambert. Not good news for weight management.

So I fully expected this endeavor to be really difficult, but it turns out, SHAZAM! I like water! I crave it! And no, I'm sure I'm not diabetic. My hydration switch has been flipped, that's all.

Now, it is possible to drink too much water, but even at 100 ozs, I'm not near that limit yet, so no worries.

I just can't get over it. I think I've had more water in this one week than I've had in my entire life. Maybe that's why I'm so thirsty. Maybe my hydration level is only as current as 1975, so I've got a lot of catching up to do!

How about you this week; did you drink more? (Water, you cad. Or cad-ette.) How did you feel?

I do not follow nor advocate the Adkins Diet, but I did enjoy this Adkins article which delineates all of the benefits and interesting factoids about water.

One last tip: crushed strawberries in water. Wonderful.

OK--onto week two of 30 x 5 Phase 3--keep sipping that water! We finish May 26!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

It's May 12th. You Know What That Means.



Then again, perhaps you don't know. Or then again-again, maybe you're just pretending not to know because today is the day: May 12th means Phase 3 of the 30 x 5 kicks off today.

"What, Lid? On a Tuesday?" Chatty Kelly will ask rhetorically.

Yes, Kelly, and you lurkers who are too timid to protest like Kelly does, on a Tuesday, because it's not against Levitical law or even the Nazarene Manual for us to start Phase 3 on a Tuesday. There is nothing sacred about starting anything on a Monday. I promise.

I also promised to reveal the super-secret totally organized plan for tweaking the 30 x 5. And it's a good thing I just thought of it I'm so detail-oriented and have it all together so that I have follow-through, right, Kelly?

Here's a hint about the tweak: look at the background of the phase 3 button. What does it remind you of?

No, we're not going to buy matching peacock exercise outfits.









However, I might pay good money to see some of you work out in this get-up. I believe she's working on her upper arms.


So no, it's not the peacock phase of the 30 x 5; those circles and the hint in the text box should make you think of: H2o. Water.

Oh, I know some of you are going to hate me for this.

We're making a concentrated effort to drink more water during the next two weeks.

How much, you ask?

You could do the traditional 6-8 8-oz glasses per day, but if you really want to know how much you should have, divide your weight by two. The quotient ...

"Quotient?" OH MY GOSH I'M SO BRAINY [Actually, my son's roommate just fed me the answer to my question, "What's the thing called when you divide numbers that's left over?" and somehow, he was able to unscramble that question and tell me, "quotient."]

The quotient is the number of ounces of water you need each day. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs., drink 75 ounces of water daily. For those who use the metric system, well, stop it.

Now I know it's not easy to drink if you're not used to it. But don't you want to be California cool and carry a bottle with you everywhere?

Seriously, it's really good for you in so many ways. Just go Google it so I don't have to list the reasons here.

Today I consumed four 20-oz bottles, and my son's roommate confirmed that this is indeed 80 oz, so I'm more than good.

And I have been to the toity about 80 times, as well. The most frustrating time was when I went to Wowmart and had to go as soon as I walked in the store. Because once your kids get over the potty training stage, you never have to visit the horrible public restrooms very often ever again, until you get on a health kick and start drinking water.

But I'm in. I'll be ramping up my 30 minutes (minimum) 5 days this week and drinking like a tee totaling sailor.

And I'm seriously considering a peacock track suit. It's so Estelle Costanza.

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Coming Soon: Phase 3!



If you are new here, please go to the original 30 x 5 post so that you can be up to speed about this topic. I don't want to lose you! (How romantic of me.)

Very soon I will let you know the super-secret, totally organized plan for phase 3. I would tell you today what the changes will be, but I'm projecting the totally organized part into the future. Therefore, it is still technically super-secret today.

But have no fear, I'm still all about this. I recovered from the conference and jumped right back onto the elliptical horse.

It helps that I've wanted to look half-way decent for the pics today, Katie's college graduation day. And for the (gulp) book signing Sunday. Notice that's "book" in the singular.

I hope you've been sticking to your movement plan, as well.

One thing that I do plan to do is wipe the slate clean of the participants there on the right unless you leave a comment telling me you're still in. (Spring cleaning?)

In the meantime, you can add the button and proclaim to the world that you're committed. And you know, you definitely should be committed.

HA. That's a joke.

Just copy this text and place it in your gadgets widget in your blog layout.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Phase 2 of the 30 x 5 Comes to a Close



We did it! Or not!

This is the end of Phase 2 of the 30 x 5.

Oh the challenges of bad weather, sick kids, spring sports, lack of motivation, birthday celebrations, etc., etc.

But realize this: if you managed to do this, not do it perfectly, per se, but still do this, you are AMAZING! For four weeks, you have been mindful of choices and have put effort into something you often think about but don't really act on: moving.

Those times that you pushed yourself when it was the last thing you felt like doing counted--counted big time!

Whether you lost pounds or not, you built muscle. You revved up metabolism. You filled your lungs fully. You disciplined yourself to push on. You exercised your heart-muscle. You stimulated endorphins. In short, you rocked!

If you did not complete it successfully but were torn between hits and misses, think about how much better off you are for the days that were hits than misses. DO NOT DWELL ON THE MISSES. That is an attack of negativity that is pointless and merely feeds your excuses not to get up again.

If I told you that I missed a few days, would you scold me? In the words of Boy George, "Would you really want to hurt me? Would you really want to make me cry?" I mean,would you tear me down, or would you point out the times that I worked at it when no one saw but me?

You would encourage me; I know you would. You would be, as Andy Bernard has so eloquently said, my traveling pants.

So let me be your traveling pants. Let us all be each other's traveling pantses.

It's biblical. Let me again refer to Paul who said, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up" (1 Thess. 5:11). And no, that isn't the only scripture I know; I also know Psalm 23 and Genesis 1:1.

So if you completed this Phase, here is your award:



Note that it has a red 2 on it, signifying you did Phase 2. You can just right click on this pic and save to your file then upload it.

If you did not do so well on the 30 x 5 but have a great sense of humor and would like a button, I have one for you, too:



I hope that you keep moving and focusing on what you're doing well. I will begin Phase 3 when I return from Atlanta next week (more on that tomorrow). But you can still continue moving until I officially start Phase 3 ... i.e. no excuses!

So now let's link up and talk about our experiences in Phase 2. Let's travel our pants until the cows come home.



Saturday, April 25, 2009

30 x 5 Update and Weekend Workout Video



Wow, the cherries post from yesterday sure struck a chord with you all. And bless your hearts, not a one of you mentioned the calories involved!

After all, I'm still trying to cut 100 per day. I mentioned before that if you want to make a rough estimate of 100 calories, cut out eating something about the size of your thumb. To that I say to myself, "Is that so?" Because there are days when I've got such a sugar craving I'd consider cutting off my thumb just so that I could "legally" eat a cookie or two.

Like Subway white chocolate chip-macadamia nut cookies. Oh.My.

Not that I know how good they are from recent experience. But the memory of them is deeply embedded in my brain like the sound of my mother's voice from inside her womb. They are the building blocks of my dietary DNA.

So how's the 30 x 5 going?

I'm hanging in there. At the beginning of week two in this phase, I was dragging hiney. One day I remember I got on the elliptical for 30 minutes, but it was probably worthless because it was like I had a separation of mind and body. I was not into it mentally. I just made my legs go up and down, without any iota of energy or intention. I probably could've had as good a workout by loading the dishwasher.

But I didn't quit; that's the important part, right?

So for the last couple of days, I've been really going at it with everything I've got.

For instance, I've been switching up the resistance and speed of my effort every 5 minutes of the 30 minutes. I think this is more challenging than simply extending my time to 45 minutes or longer, really.

So for the first 5, I'm on a slow, hard climb. Then, I dial it down and speed up to a bicycling pace. And so on.

And I have added another component which I posted pictures of on Wednesday, the exercise ball and weights.

It's true that there is no food or pill that speeds up metabolism, but building muscle speeds it up because muscle burns more calories than fat, and after you lift weights, you continue to burn calories at a higher rate for a while afterward. You don't do that with aerobic exercise so much.

Did I tell you I'm a PhD in Exercise Science? JK!

But my son is majoring in Exercise Sci. Frankly, I can't believe he's old enough to major in anything but Ninja Turtles, so isn't that cute?!

Anyway, that's what I'm up to as far as moving around.

We wind this up on the 28th, and I will have a Mr. Linky up for you to post about it, if you so wish. But go ahead and leave a comment today about how Phase two is going. Or not going. See: Lazy cat on the treadmill video.

And now I leave you with your weekend workout video. I think the point is to laugh until your sides hurt, which I do on a regular basis with my friends. Is this how I sound??

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Dance Dilemma & 30 x 5 Update


So how is Phase 2 coming along? I'm still plodding along on the elliptical, just waiting for Spring to show up, like a baby that's four weeks overdue. I want to be outside! Rain, rain, rain. It's time for an environmental C-section.

Challenges, challenges:

How's the approximate 100 cal deficit going? I'll be frank with you: I'm stinking at this, but I'm not giving up. For instance, the good news: today at Red Lobster I had only one Cheddar Bay Biscuit. The bad news: each biscuit is 160 calories, so if I had not had even one, I would have been truly better off. There is no nutritional value in one of those biscuits, just taste bud-heaven value.

Tomorrow, the entire church staff is taking all of the ministry assistants out to lunch for Secretaries' Day. I think we're going to Chilis. I'm going to have the Guiltless Buffalo Chicken Sandwich for 386 calories, Alex, but what shall I have on the side?? Steamed vegetables, yes? Good choice, as long as they're not smothered in butter or oil when they come out.

One tip I'll share: when I'm trying not to snack, sometimes I suck on a Halls Eucalyptus cough drop thingy because it's so strong, I don't want to eat eucalyptus-flavored snacks. You're welcome.

So keep at it, and if you haven't seen Greg's workout videos, you should go cheer him on. Go Blue Team! (Blue = Boy)

Dance Dilemma













I have a daughter enrolled in a dance class which is getting ready to compete after a whole school year of rehearsing one, single, solitary dance. I just saw the dress rehearsal and am uncomfortable with the costumes and some of the dance moves.

Just look at those pics. We always chuckle at the first one, calling it her "no neck" picture, although we think it's adorable. And then there are last year's pics, which are OK, just "dark." But at least big, baggy sweatshirts are modest. And at least the black thing on her face isn't a "666." (I'm always so able to see the positives in life.)

Oh moms of little girls, look away. No, you should probably looky here. For many of you, this is what's known in literary circles as "foreshadowing." Because you, too, may end up with little dancing girls who turn into bigger dancing girls, and you may find yourself fighting the contemporary culture, the secular world view, and you, like me, may feel like a middle aged catfish trying to keep your little catfish out of the koi pond at Hugh Heffner's estate. I have no idea where that image came from, except maybe from the same place that brought us "environmental C-Section."

You're probably thinking that the teenaged girl and I are nose to nose in disagreement over this conservative discomfort, but you would be wrong. We are actually thinking along the same lines, but I, of course, am more conservative than she is because at 16, she doesn't feel the need to protect herself, but I, the MOTHER, do feel the need to protect her and teach her not to ignore the discomfort, which is serving as a moral compass. You could say I "feel the need to heed" the Voice in me saying, "Uh, what is wrong with this picture?" But I don't want to be seen as that one dance mom who goes ballistic when she doesn't like something.

The dilemma, then, is how to handle this situation that completely frustrates me at the studio with grace and tact. I'll let you know how it all works out. (When I have the party where I burn the costume.)

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Makeovers and Leo Sayer

So I'm watching Biggest Loser, and the contestants are getting Hollywood movie premiere makeovers. [Please trim Filipe's hair. Oh, please.]

Envious, that's what I am. On two levels.

Sure, I'd like a bodily makeover from head to toe. But instead of Mr. Tim Gunn or Bob or Jillian helping me, Mr. Elliptical is kicking my patootie.

And here's what I look like after an hour with Mr. E.:













Grumpy.
Smeared mascara.
Swallowing water.
Tired and doubtful.

Yikes.

But there's another makeover I'm working on, and you're looking at it right now. The blog, that is.

A week or so ago, I posted a poll asking your opinions about making over 2nd Cup. The overwhelming majority of you said, "Keep the cappuccino machine." I'll try. But I think it's what makes my page load more slowly than some.

They say you start to lose readers after 4 seconds of loading. I just did a test, and I think it takes 6 because of my machine image. Would you like to test your upload time? Go here and insert your URL.

Anyway, I'm leading towards bold colors with lots of white space because I want to look neat and clean. I think it's a Spring cleaning thing. And guess what I noticed? It's funner to do cyber Spring cleaning than washing windows!

30 x 5 - 100: So what approximate 100 cals did you say "no" to lately? I turned down bagels and rich coffee flavoring. I did have a small chocolate, so that wasn't great. But look at what all I would have had, had I not been mindful of saying "no" to something! So that plus one hour with Mr. E. is my latest 30 x 5 - 100 update.

And now I'd like to share something that I discovered through Missy at It's Almost Naptime. This is my Hollywood movie premiere of "Jorge and Linda." It's approximately one minute long, and the best part is near the end. See how I tied the first line of this post to the last? Yeah ... un-cha! Let's dance!


Tuesday, April 14, 2009

The Sound of Muzizzle, Twins, 30 x 5

Remember when Dena made me this button? It's because I love musicals so muchnot.

However, the following vid (at end of post) is for all of you card-carrying Broadway musical lovers, of which I am a mirror opposite, a card carrying protester of Broadway musicals. You must watch this all the way through for the full effect. (Eye roll.)


Speaking of mirror opposites, I read the other day that there's a longstanding well-respected hypothesis that most left-handers are surviving siblings of mirror-image twins. Apparently, in as many as one in 8 pregnancies, a twin is "reabsorbed" due to chromosomal or other abnormalities. I could not wait to forward this info to my eldest two children who are both lefties. The onslaught of replies between them and me was both hilarious and disturbing. Suffice it to say my son replied, a la Dwight Schrute: "This means, of course, that I have the strength of a grown man and a fetus."





So today we're out of the gate on the next two-week adventure.

Look, I know I'm not getting around to you faithfully. I admit it. But here's a thumbnail of why I can't, couched in the context of "yesterday."

  • Awoke only in time to get ready for work--without shower!
  • Worked. Computer down most of morning.
  • Picked up Kristin after school.
  • Dropped Kristin at home but did not get out of car. Drove to parental home.
  • Worked on Dad's computer. Note irony in that statement.
  • Failed at Dad's computer. Called Jorge to come after work to help.
  • Tried to help Mom decide between two pink dress suits. Laborious process. Finally, I put suits on, and WHAM she knew immediately which one she liked and which one she didn't. Slightly disturbing.
  • Took copious notes for Mom concerning her funeral plan preferences, re: clothing, casket lining, songs, readings. A fun time was had by all.
  • Came home, ate late dinner.
  • Checked your comments here. Became overwhelmed.
  • Wrote this post.

Technically, we didn't start the 30 x 5 yesterday; today is the first day of this two weeks. But yesterday I did deny myself some Jolly Ranchers and tons of unhealthy edibles in the cafe in the building where I work, where I'm free to go at any moment and purchase any food under the sun, with one stipulation: It must be unhealthy. AARGH!

I will also confess to you, and hope that it does not discourage you, that I was down 5 lbs and then put it ALL back on from Good Friday until today. DOUBLE ARGH!

But this is a new day, right? I'm going to do my best to get around to reading your progress. hang in there with me; I need you. Please be sure to encourage some others a long the way. Just a little "Hey there; I'm in this, too," helps a lot.

And now, to end on a ridiculously happy and sappy note, here is the musical vid:



Monday, April 13, 2009

Unveiling Phase 2

I hope you had a blessed Easter. We did, in spite of our doomed yearly tradition: The Easter Ham. Here we are, being our somber selves. I just wish we could loosen up a little bit once in a while. Especially the boy.




The Plan: Phase 2 of 30 x 5, Starts Tomorrow. TOMORROW.



Many of you have expressed interest in continuing our new quest toward regular, attainable movement. That is excellent. That is called "forward momentum," my friends. Un-cha, Un-cha, Un-cha. "Un-cha" is me dancing in my chair right now doing that thing where people put both clenched fists out parallel in front of them and sort of jerk them around in a circle like a lawn sprinkler. Kinda like this, only palms down:



Anyway.

We're going to continue moving our 30 minutes for 5 days per week for two weeks, but we're adding a component. We're saying "no" to something to say "yes" to something else.

We're saying "no" to any random 100 calories each day to say "yes" to: "Am I making better choices?" "Am I in control of little mindless compusions to eat?" "Do I want to look and feel sleeker and more energetic?"

We want to answer "yes" to those questions. And we will.

By the way, this 100 calorie denial is to be in your head and inaccurate.

Yes, you read that right. In your head, and inaccurate--or approximate. No writing down or consulting Google or Oprah. Just guessing. GUESSING.

Because getting it exactly right "to-the-calorie" is for legalists and perfectionists. I refuse. I refuse!

So, for instance, I will do my 30-45 minutes on the elliptical, and then at some point during the day, I'm going to forego some extra calories LIKE LEFTOVER EASTER CANDY, thereby skipping 100 calories (or so). I'm saying "no" to Sweetart Easter chicks and bunnies to say "yes" to no jiggling muffin top this summer.

Because rolls and floppiness are cute on Easter bunnies, but loppy muffin tops on us, NOT CUTE.

According to the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension online newsletter called Food Reflections, "It takes an excess of about 3,500 calories to gain a pound. Break that into smaller bites and 100 extra calories a day can put on about 10 pounds a year. The GOOD NEWS is LOSING 10 pounds can be as easy as eating 100 calories LESS each day for a year."

Wow. It doesn't take much to come up with 100 calories. I bet if I can make just the tiniest changes, I could drop 100 cals per day. And so could you.

And just in case you literally have no idea about calories or if you simply like easy quizzes, there's an online quiz called, "What Does 100 Calories Look Like?" at Women's Health that can help you figure out what a 100-calorie serving might look like. For instance, 1/6 of a large order of McDonald's fries is 100. Ten Peanut M & M's is 100.

But basically, if you want to know a good estimate, try not eating something roughly the size of your thumb. That ought to do it.

So can we do this? Can we keep the 30 x 5 forward momentum going and drop 100 pesky calories the size of our thumbs for the next two weeks? Can we?

Yes we can!!!

Leave a comment if you're in for the next two weeks!








As always, grab the button!